Pin-setting apparatus for bowling-alleys.



F. G. HOBBS.

PIN SETTING APPARATUS FOR BOWLING ALLEYS.

' APPLICATION FILED PEB.3, 1910.

, Patented July 18, 1911.

2 SHEETSSHEET 1.

- F. c. HOBBS. PIN SETTING APPARATUS FOR BOWLING ALLEYS.

APPLICATION FILED PEB.:, 191o.- I

' Patented Ju 1y 18, 1911.

2 SHEET8BHEET 2.

lrwr 7 5? g umrnn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANCIS G. HOBBS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO THE BRUNSWIGK-IBALKE-COLLENDER COMPANY OF NEW YORK, NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEWYORK.

PIN-SETTING APPARATUS FOR BOWLING-ALLEYS.

Specification-of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 3, 1910. Serial No. 541,816.

To all whom it may concern: 7

Be it known-that I, -FRANCIS C. HOBBS, a citizen of the United States,residing at New York, county of New York, and State of New York, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Pin-Setting Apparatusfor Bowling-Alleys, fully described and represented in the followingspecification and the accompanying draw-.

ings, forming a part of the same.

This invention relates to improvements in pin setting apparatus forbowling alleys.

A -pin setting apparatus for bowling alleys has been heretofore employedwhich comprises a pin carrier or frame adapted to be loaded with thebowling pins, after which it is moved down to deposit the pins upon theproper spots on the alley bed. In the construction referred to, the pincarrier is operated from a roll by means of ropes. A counterbalance,which is heavier than the frame but lighter than the frame and the loadof pins when the pins have been placed upon it, is employed, thiscounterbalance being connected to the carrier by the ropes by which thecarrier is operated, these ropes being given one or more turns about theroll. To prevent the roll from being rotated except when desired, thereis employed a brake-band operated by a lever arm which extends forwardlyunder the roll, this lever being actuated by a rope connected' to thecounterbalance. The lever arm through which the rope passes lies beneaththe roll, the rope passing from the counterbalance through the leverarm, then over the roll and through a pulley, the depending end of'therope being provided with a handle. The arrangement is such that the ropeis given a bend between the roll andthe" counterbalance, and when therope is. pulled the lever is swung forward and releases the band. Inthis construction there is constant wear upon the operating some cases,by a' wooden framework either mounted on the alley or on the walls ofthe accuracy is required in the framing, because" the travel of the pinsetting frame must be very accurate, as the pins necessarily must bedeposited on the'alley bedin exact register with the spots, and, evenwhen such ac- Patented July 18, 1911..

curacy is. obtained in the first instance, the

warping of the timbers referred to tends to so shift the parts as tointerfere with the accurate travel of the pin carrier.

One of the objects of this invention is to produce a pin settingapparatus of the character described in which a simple, compact andcheap frameworkfor thestructure-shall be employed, this frameworkconsisting of few parts and being capacitated to be mounted on the sidesof the alley bed.

A further object of the invention is to construct a pin setter of thecharacter described in which provision is madefor adjusting the travelof thepin carrying frame, thereby doing away with the necessity forextreme accuracy in setting up the apparatus.

A further object of the invention is to produce a pin setting apparatusof the class described in which the brake operating mechanism shall be.efficient and durable.

The invention further has inview the improvement of other details of pinsetting v sists in certain constructions, and in certain parts,improvements and combinations as will be hereinafter fully described andthen specifically pointed'out.

' Referring to the accompanying 'drawings:-Figure 1 is 'a side elevationof a bowling alley containing a form of pin setting "apparatus whichembodies the invention.

Fig. 2 is an elevation, with the sides and body of thealley shown insection, the position of the observer being assumed to be at the playersend of the alley. Fig. 3 is a detail elevation, on an enlarged scale,partly in section, illustratin certain features of the construction attile upper end of the frame, the position of the observer beingindicated by the arrow 3 in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is aplan view of the brake drum, the brake actuator being shown in section.Fig. 7 is a section on the line 77 of Fig. 3. Figs. 8 and 9 are detailviews.

In the drawings, which illustrate one embodiment of the invention, 1indicates the playing bedof the alley, the sides of the alley and therear being marked 2, these sides, in connection with the back 3,constituting what is known as the kick-back cross-plate which, as shown,consists of a.

air of angle-irons 7. To insure rigidity, a race, comprising a pair ofrods 8, may be employed, each of these rods being bolted to cars 9 onthe castings 6 and to ears 10 formed on a plate 11 which may be securedto a plank 12 forming a part of the alley structure. Constructionsembodying the invention will also include a pin carrier the details ofconstruction of which may be varied. As shown, it consists of atriangular frame 13 carrying pivoted pin guides 14, and on this frame ismounted a pinholding and shifting frame 15 the movement of which iseffected by a shifter leg 16.

The details of construction of the pin carrier have no special referenceto the invention, and furthermore, are well under-- stood in the art.The pin-carrier here particularl illustrated is substantiall like thatshown 1n the patent to Backus, 0. 809,890 to which reference is made fora full description of the construction and operation of this part of thea paratus.

The pin carrying rame will, in constructions embodying the invention beoperated to move toward and away from the bed by means of a roll orshaft and suitable connections. The particular details of constructionfor moving the pin carrier may be varied. As shown, there is provided ashaft 17 journaled in hangers 18 depending from plates 19 bolted orotherwise secured to the angle-irons 7. The shaft 17 carries sprocketwheels 20 over which run sprocket chains 21 secured to eye-bolts 22which pass through openings in a counterbalance 23 and are surrounded bysprings 24, the counterbalance being thus elastically connected to thechains. At the other end, the chains are connected to rods 25 connected,in turn, to eye-bolts 26 fast on the triangular frame 13 of the pincarrier. The shaft is also provided with a drum, as 27, over whichpasses a flexible connection consisting, as shown, of a chain 28 whichpasses over a pulley 29 and is connected to a rod 30 connected in turnto an eye-bolt 31 at the apex of the triangular frame 13. The pulley 29,as shown, is carried on an arm or support 32 bolted to the angle bars 7and extending over the in section of the alley.

It wil be understood that the counterbalance, as usual in constructionsof this character, will be heavierthan the pin carrier itself but thatthe combined weight of the pin carrier and the pins to be loaded on thecarrier when in its upper position, will exceed the weight of thecounterbalance. It is apparent, therefore, assuming the parts to be inthe position shown in Fig. 1, if the pins be loaded upon the pincarrier, the pin carrier will descend, raising the counterybalance,unless the shaft is restrained from rotation.

In order to prevent the rotation of the shaft except at thedesiredtimes, .a brake mechanism will be employed, the construction ofwhich may be varied. As shown, the brake mechanism includes-abrake-band, as 33, this brake-band surrounding the drum 27 and beingconnected at one end to a pin 34 mounted on a bracket 35 depending froma plate 36 bolted to the angle iron 7. The other end of this brake-band,when this form of brake is employed, will be connected to abrake-actuator, the construction of which ma be varied. As shown, thisactuator conslsts of a block 37 pivoted on a pin 38 mounted on thebracket 35. This actuator block is provided with a pin. 39 to which theother end of the brake-band 33 is connected. The actuator-block isfurther provided with a pulley 40 mounted on a pin 41 on the block.Inthe particular construction illustrated, the actuator is held normallyin such position that the brakeband is operating to restrain therotation of the shaft 17 by means of a spring 42, this spring beingconnected to the tail of the actuator block and to an eye-bolt 43 whichpasses through the plate 36. This eyebolt is held in osition by nuts 44,this construction permitting an adjustment of the eyebolt to vary thetension of the spring. It is apparent that when the actuator-block isrocked down against the tension of the spring, the brake-band will bereleased and the shaft 17 permitted to rotate. I

It is desirable to prevent a too rapid rotation of the shaft under thepull of the band may be controlled, that is to say, while' thebrake-band may be released sufliciently to permit the shaft 17 to turn,it still exercises a slight dragging action thereon so as to prevent toorapid rotation of the shaft.

The means for operating the actuator may be varied, but in the bestconstruct-ions em-- bodying the invention it will be operated byflexible connections extending to the counterbalance. Inthe particularconstruction illustrated, the plate 36 is provided with a bracket 47 onwhich is mounted a pulley 48. As shown, this pulley is located over thecounterbalance. As shown, furthermore,

' there is provided a flexible connection or operating chain 49 havingconnected to it a rod 50 to which is connected an operating handle 51conveniently located to be seized by the pin boy. This chain 49 runsover the pulley 40 on the actuator and the pulley 48, and is connectedat its end to the counterbalance. It is apparent that when the pin boyseizes the handle and pulls on the chain 49, the actuator 37 will berocked downward to release the brake, the pull of the chain beingresisted by the weight of the counterbalance. It will be observed thatthe operating connection or chain 49 has a straight run from thecounterbalance to the pulley 48, a straight run between the pulleys 48and 40, and a straight downward run from the pulley 40. This arrangementof the chain reduces the wear to a minimum and makes anexceedinglyeflicient operating connection.

The pin carrier is required to depositthe pins on the spots on thepin-section-of the alley so that the bases of the pins will be in exactregister with the spots on the alley, the importance of this exactnessof position being well-understood by bowlers. In the best constructionsembodying the invention, therefore, suitable guides will be provided toinsure the accuracy of movement of the pin carrier. While theconstruction of guides for the pin carrier employed may be varied, asillustrated, the frame 13 of the pin carrier is provided with upwardlyextending members 52 which telescope in guide rods or tubes 53, theupper ends of which are supported in arms 54 extending from the brackets18 before referred to. The memcarrier.

bers 52 may be surrounded at their lower ends by springs 55 which bearagainst the lower ends of the rods or tubes 53 and cushion the upwardmovement of the pin carrier.

While the frame comprising the uprights 4 and the connected parts mightbe set so accurately with respect to the pin spots as to insure theproper delivery 'of the pins.

upon the spots, it is difficult to accomplish this, particularly wherethe frame structure covers a number of alleys in which the spotting ofthe pin sections of each alley is not entirely uniform with the otheralleys. For

this and other reasons not necessaryto refer to at length, inconstructions embodying the invention in its best form, means will beprovided for adjusting the guides for the pin carrier so as to insurethat it properly delivers the pins to the spots. While the means bywhich this adjustment is effected may be varied, as shown, the uprights4 carry a cross-rod or transverse bar 56 secured in couplings 57slidingly mount- 'ed on the uprights 4 and secured in position byset-screws 57 This rod or bar 56 is sur- 1 rounded by a pair of clampcouplings 56 into each of which is threaded a rightand left handthreaded adjusting bolt 58 also threaded into a boss on a bracket 59 provided with clamp couplings 60, each of these couplings embracing one ofthe rods or tubes 53 before referred to. It is apparent that by turningthe screws 58 the tubes 53 can be adjusted toward or away from theuprights 4 to vary the line of travel; of the The tubes 53 have beenbefore referred to as threaded into the brackets 54.

WVhen this method of connection is em-- ployed, it will be understoodthat the connection should be sufficiently loose to permit a slightswinging movement of the tubes. It willbe understood that the adjustmentto be provided is a' limited one, as the uprights can be set withcomparative accuracy without difliculty.

While the drawings illustrate what is con sidered to be the bestconstruction for carrying the invention into effect, it willbeunderstood that changes and variations may be made in said construction.The invention claimed is not, therefore, to be restricted to thespecific construction hereinbefore described andillustrated in theaccompanying drawings.

What is claimed is 1. In a pin setting apparatus for bowling alleys, thecombination with the sides ofthe alley, of a frame comprising a singlepair of uprights mounted thereon and a cross-plate connecting theupperends of the uprights. a

ble connection between the shaft and the carrier, a guide for saidconnection carried by the support, and additional flexible connectionsbetween the shaft and the carrier.

2. In a pin setting apparatus for bowling alleys, the combination withthe sides of the alley, of a frame comprising a single pair of uprightsmounted thereon and a cross-plate connecting the upper ends of theuprights,

a brace for the frame, a support connected to the cross-plate andextending over the alley bed, a pin carrier, a shaft mounted in theframe for pperating the pin carrier, a drum on the shaft, a guide on thesupport, a flexible connection extending from the drum through the guideon the support to the pin carrier, sprocket wheels on the shaft, acounterbalance, and connections including chains extending from thecounterbalance over the sprocket wheels to the carrier.

8. In a pin setting device, a supporting frame including spaced uprightshaving end brackets secured thereto, a cross-plate connecting saidbrackets, intermediate shaft supporting hangers depending from thecross-plate and provided with laterally extending arms having socketsformed therein, a transverse bar connecting the uprights, a pin carrier,guide rods having their lower ends operatively connected with the pincarrier and their upper ends seated in said sockets, and a connectionbetween the transverse bar and each guide rod.

4. In a pin setting device, a stationary supporting frame, shaftsupporting hangers depending from the stationary frame, guide rodsdepending from the hangers, a transverse bar forming a part of thesupporting frame, and a connection between the transverse bar and eachguide rod.

In a pin setting device, a supporting frame including spaced uprightshaving end brackets secured thereto, a cross-plate connecting saidbrackets, intermediate shaft supporting hangers depending from thecross-plate and provided with laterally ex tending arms having socketsformed therein, a pin carrier, guide rods having their upper ends seatedin the sockets of the hangers and their lower ends operatively connectedwith the pin carrier, a transverse'bar connecting the uprights of thesupporting frame, connecting brackets having clamp couplings embracingthe guide rods, couplings mounted on the transverse bar, and a threadedpin forming a connection between each connectbracket and the adjacentcoupling on the transverse bar.

6. In a pin setting apparatus for bowling alleys, the combination withthe sides of the alley, of a frame mounted thereon, a pin carrier, meanscarried by the frame to effect the raising and lowering of the pincarrier, guide members mounted on the carrier, tubes in which saidmembers telescope, and

means for adjustably connecting the tubes to the frame.

7 In a pin setting'apparatus for bowling alleys, the combination with apin carrier, of a shaft, connect-ions including a counterbalance wherebythe shaft effects the raising and lowering of the pin carrier, a brakemechanism for the shaft, a brake actuator, and a flexible operatingconnection passing through the actuator and then over the shaft to thecounterbalance.

8. In a pin setting apparatus for bowling alleys, the combination with apin carrier, of a shaft, connections including a counterbalance wherebythe shaft eflects the raising and lowering of the pin carrier, a brakemechanism including a brake band, a pivoted brake actuating blockconnected to the brake band, a flexible operating connection passingthrough the block and over the shaft to the counterbalance, saidconnection operating to move the block to release the brake, and aspring connected to the block and acting in opposition to said flexibleconnection.

9 In a pin setting apparatus forbowling alleys,

the combination with a pin carrier,

of a shaft, connections including a counterbalance whereby the shafteffects the lowering and raising of the carrier, a brake mechanism, anactuator for said mechanism, operating means for the actuator, andadjustable means independent of the connections between the actuator andthe brake for controlling the movement of the actuator.

10. In a pin setting apparatus for bowling alleys, the combination witha pin carrier, of a shaft, connections including a counterbalancewhereby the shaft effects the raising and lowering of the carrier, abrake mechanism including a brake band, a pivoted actuator block foroperating the band, means for operating the block, and adjustable meansindependent of the connections between the actuator-land the brake fordetermining the movement of the block. 11. In a pin setting apparatusfor bowling alleys, the combination with a pin carrier, of a shaft,connections including a counterbalance whereby the shaft effects theraising and lowering of the carrier, a brake mechanism including a brakeband, an actuator block for the brake band, flexible connectionsextending through the block and over the shaft to the counterbalance foroperating the block, a spring acting in opposition to the operatingconnections, and a set screw and cooperating abutment for limiting themovement of the block. 12. In a pin setting apparatus for bowlingalleys, the combination with a pin carrier, of a shaft, connectionsincluding a counterbalance whereby the shaft elfects the raising andlowering of the carrier, a brake mechanism including an actuator, aflexible con- I nection extending through the actuator to ond guidepulley locate the counterbalance, and a pulley located between theactuator and the counterbalance and over the counterbalance.

13. In a pin setting apparatus for bowling alleys, the combination witha pin carrier, of a shaft, connections including a counterbalancewhereby the shaft effects the raising and lowering of the carrier, abrake mecha-' nism including a brake-band, a pivoted actuator blockcarrying a (guide pulley, a secover the counterbalance, and a flexibleconnection extending around said pulleys and to the counterbalance foroperating the block.

14. In a pin setting apparatus for bowling alleys, the combination witha pin carrier, of a shaft, connections including a counterbalancewhereby the shaft effects the raising and lowering of the carrier, abrake mechanism including a brake-band, a pivoted actuator blockcarrying a guide pulley, asecond guide pulley located over thecounterbalance, a flexible connection extending around said pulleys andto the counterbalance for operating the block, and a spring ond guidepulley located over the counter balance, a flexible connection extendingaround said pulleys and to the counterbalance for operating the block, aspring connected to the actuator block operating in opposition to theflexible connection, and means including a set screw and cooperatingabutment for limiting the movement of the,

block.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

FRANCIS O. HOBBS.

\Vitnesses:

A. WHITE, J. J. KEARNS.

